Operations

The Rhode Island Supreme Court ruled that companies that lease vehicles can be sued for vicarious liability if the vehicles cause injuries in an accident.
The plaintiffs argued that long-term motor vehicle lessors are owners just like private owners or rental companies, and are, thereby, statutorily subject to vicarious liability for the negligence of drivers who operate their vehicles with their consent, just as any owner would be.
The Rhode Island Supreme Court agreed, finding for the plaintiffs. “We conclude that short-term rental agencies, long-term leasing companies, and motor-vehicle financing corporations are subject to liability . . . as the owners of motor vehicles,” wrote Justice Robert Flanders Jr. for the court, citing two vicarious liability statutes, §31-33-6 and 31-34-4.

Cox Automotive has established a new mobility services unit that combines existing businesses, such as its Flexdrive subscription service, with its acquisition of Clutch Technologies' subscription software platform to deliver fleet management solutions for mobility fleets, the company has announced.

Fleet management professionals who have completed NAFA's Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) program typically earn about a 27% higher salary than those who didn't attain the certification, according to a Monster.com survey.

Diesel-powered cargo vans are providing fleet buyers with a lower total cost of ownership than gasoline models, while many diesel-powered trucks aren't recouping the higher acquisition cost, according to a Vincentric analysis.

UPS will implement a new predictive analytics tool later this year designed to analyze details about its logistics network in order to meet the demands of e-commerce shopping and competition from FedEx and Amazon, and better manage its fleet.

“I am thrilled to have been elected by my peers throughout the fleet industry,” said Jozwiak. She continued, “I am looking forward to contributing, learning and growing with this great Fleet industry organization.”

Mercedes-Benz is bringing its A-Class compact sedan to the U.S. market later this year as a 2019 model that will give buyers a new entry point just below the CLA and the first vehicle with the brand's next-generation infotainment system.